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Pesachim 39

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Summary

Today’s Daf is sponsored by Marsha Wasserman in honor of her son Dr. Noam Wasserman, Dean of Sy Syms School of Business at YU. “Thank you for encouraging me to study daf yomi as you have been doing for many years. I am fortunate to have you as a son who motivates and encourages not only his own students but also his parents. We love you and are very proud of all of your accomplishments.” And by Erin Piateski in honor of the 14th yahrzeit of Dr. Beth Samuels a”h. “Beth’s life was dedicated to Torah learning, and in particular, to expanding Jewish learning opportunities for girls and women. Beth would have been thrilled to see the large community of women learning daf yomi.” Today’s Daf is sponsored in honor of the 14th yahrzeit of Dr. Beth Samuels a”h on December 30th, 15 Tevet. Beth’s life was dedicated to Torah learning, and in particular, to expanding Jewish learning opportunities for girls and women. Beth would have been thrilled to see the large community of women learning daf yomi. And by Debbie Gevir in the memory of her mother, Yocheved Gindsberg on her sixth yahrzeit today. Besides being a model of hesed, kibud horim, and grace, Yocheved was active in torah learning and teaching, especially for women. יהי זכרה ברוך

What can one use to fulfill one’s obligation for marror? What are all the different types of vegetables mentioned in the mishna? Other sources are brought which list other types. Is there one type more ideal than the others? Can things other than vegetables be used that are bitter? The gemara continually compares matza to marror to derive various criteria. Rav says that all the types that can be used for marror can be planted together in one area. The gemara tries to understand what was he trying to say. One can eat marror moist or dry – is this just for the stalk or also the leaves? What about shriveled? Pickled? Cooked? Stewed? Can you use maaser sheni produce? How would this differ from the same question regarding matza from maaser sheni? What types of things can be done with bran that would or would not lead to leavening? If the food is already baked, it can no longer leaven, even if placed in water.

 

Pesachim 39

מַתְנִי׳ וְאֵלּוּ יְרָקוֹת שֶׁאָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח: בַּחֲזֶרֶת, בְּתַמְכָא, וּבְחַרְחֲבִינָא וּבְעוּלְשִׁין וּבְמָרוֹר. יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן בֵּין לַחִין בֵּין יְבֵשִׁין, אֲבָל לֹא כְּבוּשִׁין וְלֹא שְׁלוּקִין וְלֹא מְבוּשָּׁלִין.

MISHNA: And these are the vegetables with which a person can fulfill his obligation to eat bitter herbs on Passover: One can fulfill his obligation with ḥazeret, with chervil [tamkha], and with field eryngo [ḥarḥavina], and with endives [olashin], and with maror. One fulfills his obligation with them whether they are fresh or whether they are dry. However, one does not fulfill his obligation if they are pickled in water or vinegar, nor if they are over-boiled [shaluk] in hot water, nor if they are boiled [mevushal].

וּמִצְטָרְפִין לִכְזַיִת, וְיוֹצְאִין בַּקֶּלַח שֶׁלָּהֶן. וּבִדְמַאי, וּבְמַעֲשֵׂר רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁנִּטְּלָה תְּרוּמָתוֹ, וּמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי וְהֶקְדֵּשׁ שֶׁנִּפְדּוּ.

The mishna adds: And all these different types of vegetables join together to the measure of an olive-bulk, i.e., it is not necessary to eat this amount from one specific type of vegetable. And one fulfills his obligation by eating their stalk, as it is not necessary to eat the leaves. And one fulfills the obligation with doubtfully tithed produce, with first-tithe produce whose teruma has been taken and given to a priest, and with both second-tithe produce and consecrated property that were redeemed.

גְּמָ׳ חֲזֶרֶת — חַסָּא. עוּלְשִׁין — הִינְדְּבִי. תַּמְכָא, אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה: תְּמַכְתָּא שְׁמָהּ. חַרְחֲבִינָא, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: אַצְווֹתָא דְּדִיקְלָא. וּבְמָרוֹר — מְרִירָתָא.

GEMARA: The Gemara identifies the plants mentioned by the mishna by their Aramaic names. Ḥazeret is lettuce. Olashin is called hindevi. With regard to tamkha, Rabba bar bar Ḥana said: It is called temakhta in Aramaic. As for ḥarḥavina, Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: This is the plant that grows around the palm tree. The mishna taught: And with maror. The Gemara explains: This is a plant called merirata.

תָּנֵי בַּר קַפָּרָא, אֵלּוּ יְרָקוֹת שֶׁאָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח: בְּעוּלְשִׁין, וּבְתַמְכָא, בְּחַרְחֲלִין, בְּחַרְחֲבִינִין, וּבְחִזְרִין. רַב יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אַף עוּלְשֵׁי שָׂדֶה וְעוּלְשֵׁי גִינָּה וַחֲזֶרֶת.

Bar Kappara teaches: These are the vegetables with which a person can fulfill his obligation to eat bitter herbs on Passover: With endives, chervil, ḥarḥallin, field eryngo, and ḥazeret. Rav Yehuda says: Also wild endives, garden endives, and ḥazeret.

עוּלְשֵׁי גִינָּה וַחֲזֶרֶת? הָא תְּנָא לַהּ רֵישָׁא! הָכִי קָאָמַר: אַף עוּלְשֵׁי שָׂדֶה כְּעוּלְשֵׁי גִינָּה וַחֲזֶרֶת. רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אַף עַסְווֹס וְטוּרָא וּמָר יְרוֹאָר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: עַסְווֹס וְטוּרָא אֶחָד הוּא. וּמָר — זֶה הוּא יְרוֹאָר.

The Gemara asks: Why does Rav Yehuda mention garden endives and ḥazeret? These were already taught in the first clause. The Gemara explains that this is what Rav Yehuda is saying: Even wild endives are equivalent to garden endives and ḥazeret and may be used as bitter herbs on Passover. Rabbi Meir says: The plants asvas, and tura, and sweet myrrh [mar yero’ar] can also be used to fulfill this obligation. Rabbi Yosei said to him: Asvas and tura are two names for one plant, and mar is the same plant as yero’ar.

תָּנֵי דְּבֵי (רַבִּי) שְׁמוּאֵל: אֵלּוּ יְרָקוֹת שֶׁאָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח: בַּחֲזֶרֶת, בְּעוּלְשִׁין, וּבְתַמְכָא, וּבְחַרְבִּינִין, וּבְחַרְגִּינִין, וּבְהִרְדּוּפְנִין. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אַף חֲזֶרֶת יוּלִין וַחֲזֶרֶת גַּלִּין כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן.

A Sage of the school of Rabbi Samuel teaches: These are the vegetables with which a person can fulfill his obligation to eat bitter herbs on Passover: With ḥazeret, endives, chervil, field eryngo, ḥarginnin, and hardofannin. Rabbi Yehuda says: One can also fulfill his obligation with ḥazeret yolin and ḥazeret gallin, as they are similar to the aforementioned vegetables.

רַבִּי אִילְעָא אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: אַף עַרְקַבָּלִים, וְחָזַרְתִּי עַל כׇּל תַּלְמִידָיו וּבִקַּשְׁתִּי לִי חָבֵר, וְלֹא מָצָאתִי. וּכְשֶׁבָּאתִי לִפְנֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב, הוֹדָה לִדְבָרַי.

Rabbi Ile’a said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer: One can also fulfill his obligation with arkablim. And I went around all of Rabbi Eliezer’s students looking for a colleague who agreed with me that Rabbi Eliezer said this, but I did not find anyone who remembered this ruling. But when I came before Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov, he conceded to my statement.

רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: כֹּל שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ שָׂרָף. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן בְּרוֹקָה אוֹמֵר: כֹּל שֶׁפָּנָיו מַכְסִיפִין. אֲחֵרִים אוֹמְרִים: [כׇּל] יָרָק מַר יֵשׁ לוֹ שָׂרָף וּפָנָיו מַכְסִיפִין. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִדִּבְרֵי כּוּלָּן נִלְמַד, יָרָק מַר יֵשׁ לוֹ שָׂרָף וּפָנָיו מַכְסִיפִין. אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: הֲלָכָה כַּאֲחֵרִים.

Rabbi Yehuda says: Any plant that has white sap when it is cut may be used as bitter herbs. Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka says: Anything whose surface is light green may be used as bitter herbs. Aḥerim say: Any bitter herb that has sap and whose surface is light green is fit for this mitzva. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: From the statements of all these Sages, we can learn that a bitter green herb has sap and its surface is light green. Rav Huna said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Aḥerim.

רָבִינָא אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לְרַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא דַּהֲוָה מְהַדַּר אַמְּרִירָתָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי דַּעְתָּיךְ, דִּמְרִירִין טְפֵי? וְהָא חֲזֶרֶת תְּנַן. וְתַנָּא דְּבֵי שְׁמוּאֵל: חֲזֶרֶת, וְאָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: מִצְוָה בַּחֲזֶרֶת. וְאָמַר רָבָא: מַאי חֲזֶרֶת — חַסָּא.

Ravina found Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, searching for merirata to use as bitter herbs. He said to him: What is your opinion, that you seek this particular herb? If you are looking for that which is most bitter, but we learned ḥazeret first in the mishna, which indicates that this is the preferred choice. And likewise, a Sage of the school of Shmuel taught ḥazeret first, before the other types of bitter herbs. And Rabbi Oshaya said: The optimal fulfillment of the mitzva is with ḥazeret, and Rava said: What is ḥazeret? It is lettuce [ḥassa].

מַאי חַסָּא — דְּחַס רַחֲמָנָא עִילָּוַון. וְאָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: לָמָּה נִמְשְׁלוּ מִצְרִיִּים כְּמָרוֹר? לוֹמַר לָךְ: מָה מָרוֹר זֶה שֶׁתְּחִילָּתוֹ רַךְ וְסוֹפוֹ קָשֶׁה — אַף מִצְרִיִּים תְּחִילָּתָן רַכָּה וְסוֹפָן קָשָׁה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הֲדַרִי בִּי.

The Gemara explains: What is the meaning of lettuce [ḥassa]? It refers to the fact that God has mercy [ḥas] on us. And Rabbi Samuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Why are the Egyptians likened to bitter herbs in the verse: “And they embittered their lives” (Exodus 1:14)? This comparison serves to tell you that just as these bitter herbs are soft at first and harsh in the end, so too, the Egyptians were soft at first, when they paid the Jews for their work, but were harsh in the end, as they enslaved them. This idea applies solely to ḥazeret, which has a bitter aftertaste, but not to other types of bitter herbs, which are bitter from the beginning. Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, said to Ravina: I retract my position and concede that it is preferable to use ḥazeret for bitter herbs.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב רְחוּמִי לְאַבָּיֵי: מִמַּאי דְּהַאי מָרוֹר מִין יָרָק הוּא? אֵימָא מְרִירָתָא דְכוּפְיָא? דּוּמְיָא דְּמַצָּה: מָה מַצָּה גִּידּוּלֵי קַרְקַע — אַף מָרוֹר גִּידּוּלֵי קַרְקַע. וְאֵימָא הִירְדּוּף? דּוּמְיָא דְּמַצָּה: מָה מַצָּה מִין זְרָעִים — אַף מָרוֹר מִין זְרָעִים.

Rav Reḥumi said to Abaye: From where is it known that this bitter herb that must be eaten on Passover night is a type of vegetable? Perhaps one could say that the mitzva should be performed with the bile of a kufya fish, which is very bitter, but not necessarily with a type of plant? He answered: Bitter herbs are similar to matza; just as matza must be prepared only from food that grows from the ground, so too, bitter herbs must be from food that grows from the ground. The Gemara asks: How do we know that a bitter herb is specifically a vegetable rather than the bitter oleander bush? The Gemara answers: Bitter herbs are similar to matza; just as matza is prepared from a type of plant, but not including a tree, so too, bitter herbs must be from a type of plant that is not a tree.

וְאֵימָא הַרְזִיפוּ! דּוּמְיָא דְּמַצָּה: מָה מַצָּה שֶׁנִּיקַּחַת בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר — אַף מָרוֹר שֶׁנִּיקָּח בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר.

The Gemara asks a similar question: Perhaps I can say that one may use harzipu, a vegetable that poisons animals, as the bitter herb. The Gemara answers: It must be similar to matza; just as matza is prepared from plants that are fit for human consumption and can be purchased with second-tithe money, so too, bitter herbs must be from a species that can be purchased with second-tithe money.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבָּה בַּר רַב חָנִין לְאַבָּיֵי: אֵימָא מָרוֹר חַד! ״מְרוֹרִים״ כְּתִיב. וְאֵימָא ״מְרוֹרִים״ תְּרֵי! דּוּמְיָא דְּמַצָּה: מָה מַצָּה מִינִין הַרְבֵּה — אַף מָרוֹר מִינִין הַרְבֵּה.

Rabba bar Rav Ḥanin said to Abaye: I can say that the bitter herb mentioned in the Torah includes merely one species, i.e., only the bitterest plant can be used for this obligation. Abaye responded: For this reason it is written: “Bitter herbs” (Exodus 12:8) in the plural, indicating that many types of bitter herbs are fit for this purpose. Rabba retorted: But one can say that “bitter herbs” refers to two different species, but no more. Abaye explained: Bitter herbs are similar to matza; just as matza can be prepared from many types of grain, so too, bitter herbs can be taken from many different types of vegetables.

אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא אָמַר רַב: יְרָקוֹת שֶׁאָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים שֶׁאָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח, כּוּלָּן נִזְרָעִין בַּעֲרוּגָה אַחַת. לְמֵימְרָא דְּלֵית בְּהוּ מִשּׁוּם כִּלְאַיִם?

Rabba bar Rav Huna said that Rav said: With regard to the vegetables that the Sages said a person can fulfill with them his obligation to eat bitter herbs on Passover, they may all be planted in one garden bed. The Gemara concludes: That is to say that the prohibition against planting diverse kinds of seeds does not apply to them? Rav’s statement indicates that all these species are so similar that they may be planted together without violating the prohibition against planting different species of crops in one area of a field.

מֵתִיב רָבָא: חֲזֶרֶת וַחֲזֶרֶת גַּלִּין, עוּלְשִׁין וְעוּלְשֵׁי שָׂדֶה, כְּרֵישִׁין וּכְרֵישֵׁי שָׂדֶה, כּוּסְבָּר וְכוּסְבַּר שָׂדֶה, חַרְדָּל וְחַרְדָּל מִצְרִי, וְדַלַּעַת הַמִּצְרִי וְהָרְמוּצָה — אֵינָם כִּלְאַיִם זֶה בָּזֶה. חֲזֶרֶת וַחֲזֶרֶת גַּלִּין — אִין, חֲזֶרֶת וְעוּלְשִׁין — לֹא!

Rava raised an objection from a mishna: Ḥazeret and ḥazeret gallin; endive and wild endive; leek and wild leek; coriander and wild coriander; mustard and Egyptian mustard; and Egyptian gourd and harmutza, a type of gourd, are not considered a mixture of diverse kinds when planted together. This indicates that ḥazeret and ḥazeret gallin, yes, they may be planted together; however, ḥazeret and endives, no, they may not be planted together.

וְכִי תֵּימָא כּוּלְּהוּ בַּהֲדָדֵי קָתָנֵי לְהוּ. וְהָא אָמַר רַב: זוּגוֹת זוּגוֹת קָתָנֵי!

And lest you say that all these species are taught together, and the mishna is actually saying that any of these species may be planted together, but didn’t Rav himself say that these plants were taught in pairs, i.e., one may plant each plant only with its pair that is listed in the mishna, due to their similarity; however, one may not, e.g., plant lettuce and endive together. It therefore remains unclear what Rav meant when he said that vegetables fit for use as bitter herbs may be planted in a single garden bed.

מַאי נִזְרָעִין דְּאָמַר רַב — נִזְרָעִין כְּהִלְכָתָן. כְּהִלְכָתָן? תְּנֵינָא:

The Gemara explains: What is the meaning of the term planted, which Rav said? It means that these plants may be properly planted. In other words, they may be planted together provided that there is an appropriate amount of space between them, so that there is no violation of the prohibition against planting diverse kinds of seeds. The Gemara asks: If he wishes to inform us about planting them properly, we already learned this in a mishna:

עֲרוּגָה שֶׁהִיא שִׁשָּׁה עַל שִׁשָּׁה טְפָחִים — זוֹרְעִין בְּתוֹכָהּ חֲמִשָּׁה זֵרְעוֹנִין, אַרְבַּע — עַל אַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת הָעֲרוּגָה, וְאַחַת בָּאֶמְצַע. מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא: הָנֵי מִילֵּי בִּזְרָעִין, אֲבָל בִּירָקוֹת — לָא, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

With regard to a garden bed that is six by six handbreadths in area, one may plant in it five different types of seeds, four types on the four sides of the bed and one type in the middle. This mishna teaches that it is permitted to plant different types of seeds in one garden bed, provided that one maintains the appropriate distance between them. The Gemara explains: Rav’s statement is nevertheless necessary. Lest you say that that applies only to seeds, but with regard to vegetables, no, it is prohibited to plant them in a single garden bed even if this separation is maintained, Rava teaches us that it is permitted to plant in this manner with vegetables as well.

לְמֵימְרָא דִּירָקוֹת אַלִּימָא מִזְּרָעִים? וְהָתְנַן: כׇּל מִינֵי זְרָעִים אֵין זוֹרְעִין בַּעֲרוּגָה אַחַת, כׇּל מִינֵי יְרָקוֹת זוֹרְעִין בַּעֲרוּגָה אַחַת! מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא הָנֵי מָרוֹר מִין זְרָעִים נִינְהוּ, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

The Gemara asks: Is that to say that vegetables are stronger in the level of their prohibition than seeds? But didn’t we learn in a mishna in Kilayim: With regard to multiple types of seeds, one may not plant them together in one garden bed, even if there is space between them; however, with regard to multiple types of vegetables, one may plant them together in one bed? This mishna apparently indicates that the halakha is stricter concerning seeds. The Gemara answers: Rav’s statement is necessary. Lest you say that these bitter herbs are a type of seed, not a vegetable, and therefore it is prohibited to plant them in a bed with other seeds, Rav teaches us that all the various bitter herbs are classified as types of vegetables.

זְרָעִים סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ? וְהָא תְּנַן — יְרָקוֹת, וְתָנֵי בַּר קַפָּרָא — יְרָקוֹת, וְתָנֵי דְּבֵי שְׁמוּאֵל — יְרָקוֹת! חֲזֶרֶת אִיצְטְרִיכָא לֵיהּ. סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אָמֵינָא: הוֹאִיל וְסוֹפָהּ לְהַקְשׁוֹת — נִיתֵּיב לַהּ רַוְוחָא טְפֵי.

The Gemara asks: Could it even enter your mind that bitter herbs are types of seeds? But didn’t we learn the word vegetables in a mishna? And bar Kappara likewise taught: Vegetables. And furthermore, the Sage of the school of Shmuel taught: Vegetables. The Gemara explains: It was necessary for Rav to mention the status of ḥazeret. It could enter your mind to say that since ḥazeret ultimately hardens into a type of seed, one must therefore give it more space in a garden bed than other vegetables. Rav’s statement indicates that this is not the case.

לָאו אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא, קֶלַח שֶׁל כְּרוּב שֶׁהוּקְשָׁה מַרְחִיבִין לוֹ בֵּית רוֹבַע! אַלְמָא: כֵּיוָן דְּסוֹפוֹ לְהַקְשׁוֹת יָהֲבִינַן לֵיהּ רַוְוחָא טְפֵי, הָכָא נָמֵי נִיתֵּיב לַהּ רַוְוחָא טְפֵי, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

The Gemara offers support for this contention: Didn’t Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, say: With regard to a stalk of cabbage that has hardened, one must allow a beit rova of space for it, in which no other seeds may be planted. Apparently, since it will ultimately harden, one must give it more space. Here too, in the case of the ḥazeret, it might have been thought that one is required to give it more space. Therefore, Rava teaches us that all types of bitter herbs, even lettuce, may be planted together in one bed without leaving additional space between each species.

יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן בֵּין לַחִין בֵּין יְבֵשִׁין כּוּ׳. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בַּקֶּלַח, אֲבָל בֶּעָלִין, לַחִין — אִין, יְבֵשִׁין — לָא.

The mishna taught that one can fulfill his obligation to eat bitter herbs with these types of vegetables, whether they are fresh or whether they are dried. Rav Ḥisda said: They taught this halakha only with regard to the stem. However, with regard to the leaves, if they are moist, yes, they may be used as bitter herbs, but if they are dry, no, they may not serve as bitter herbs.

וְהָא מִדְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא ״בַּקֶּלַח שֶׁלָּהֶן״, מִכְלָל דְּרֵישָׁא עָלִין? פָּרוֹשֵׁי קָא מְפָרֵשׁ: כִּי קָתָנֵי בֵּין לַחִין בֵּין יְבֵשִׁין — אַקֶּלַח.

The Gemara asks: But from the fact that it is taught in the last clause of the mishna: In their stems, it may be inferred that the first clause of the mishna refers to the leaves. The Gemara answers: The tanna is explaining his statement in the first clause of the mishna: When he taught that one may eat herbs whether they are fresh or whether dried, the tanna was referring to the stem, not the leaves.

מֵיתִיבִי: יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן וּבַקֶּלַח שֶׁלָּהֶן, בֵּין לַחִין בֵּין יְבֵשִׁין, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: לַחִין — יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן, יְבֵשִׁין — אֵין יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן. וְשָׁוִין שֶׁיּוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן כְּמוּשִׁין. אֲבָל לֹא כְּבוּשִׁין וְלֹא שְׁלוּקִין וְלֹא מְבוּשָּׁלִין.

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: One can fulfill the obligation with the bitter herbs themselves or with their stems, whether they are fresh or whether they are dried; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. And the Rabbis say: With regard to fresh bitter herbs, one can fulfill his obligation with them; however, with regard to dry bitter herbs, one cannot fulfill the obligation with them. And everyone agrees that one can fulfill his obligation with them if they are withered and are no longer fresh. However, one may neither use bitter herbs that have been pickled, nor over-boiled, nor boiled.

כְּלָלוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר: כֹּל שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ טַעַם מָרוֹר — יוֹצְאִין בּוֹ, וְכֹל שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ טַעַם מָרוֹר — אֵין יוֹצְאִין בּוֹ. תַּרְגּוּמָא אַקֶּלַח. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אֵין יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן כְּמוּשִׁין. מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּרַבִּי צָדוֹק אָמְרוּ: יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן כְּמוּשִׁין.

The baraita continues: The principle is: Anything that has the taste of bitter herbs, one can fulfill his obligation with it; but anything that does not have the taste of bitter herbs, one cannot fulfill his obligation with it. This baraita indicates that neither Rabbi Meir nor the Rabbis distinguish between the leaves of these herbs and their stems. The Gemara answers: Interpret Rabbi Meir’s statement, that one can fulfill the obligation with both fresh and dried bitter herbs, as referring to the stem but not to the leaves. The Sages taught: One cannot fulfill the obligation with them when they are withered. They said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Tzadok: One can fulfill his obligation with them even when they are withered.

בָּעֵי רָמֵי בַּר חָמָא: מַהוּ שֶׁיֵּצֵא אָדָם יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בְּמָרוֹר שֶׁל מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם? אַלִּיבָּא דְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא לָא תִּיבְּעֵי לָךְ: הַשְׁתָּא בְּמַצָּה דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא נָפֵיק, בְּמָרוֹר דְּרַבָּנַן מִיבַּעְיָא?

Rami bar Ḥama raised a dilemma: What is the halakha with regard to the possibility that a person can fulfill his obligation with bitter herbs of second-tithe produce in Jerusalem? In accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Akiva, who permits one to fulfill the obligation to eat matza with second-tithe produce because it can be eaten anywhere if it becomes ritually impure, do not raise this dilemma. Now that it has been mentioned that in the case of matza, where the obligation applies by Torah law, one can fulfill his obligation with second tithe in this manner, is it necessary to mention that one can use second tithe for bitter herbs, which nowadays applies by rabbinic law, as there is no Paschal lamb?

כִּי תִּיבְּעֵי לָךְ אַלִּיבָּא דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי, מַאי? בְּמַצָּה דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא הוּא דְּלָא נָפֵיק, אֲבָל מָרוֹר דְּרַבָּנַן נָפֵיק?

When you raise the dilemma, it is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, who maintains that one cannot fulfill his obligation with matza of second-tithe produce. What is the halakha with regard to bitter herbs? The Gemara explains the two sides of this dilemma: Does Rabbi Yosei HaGelili say it is only with regard to matza of second-tithe produce, where the obligation applies by Torah law, that one does not fulfill the mitzva; however, with bitter herbs, a mitzva that applies by rabbinic law, one can fulfill his obligation with this second-tithe produce?

אוֹ דִילְמָא: כׇּל דְּתַקִּינוּ רַבָּנַן — כְּעֵין דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא תַּקּוּן. אָמַר רָבָא: מִסְתַּבְּרָא מַצָּה וּמָרוֹר.

Or perhaps, everything that the Sages instituted, they instituted in a manner similar to the model provided by Torah law. If this principle is accepted, it would mean the following: Just as one may not use second-tithe produce for matza, so too, one may not use second tithe as bitter herbs, despite the fact that the obligation to eat them is rabbinic. Rava said: It stands to reason that since the verse juxtaposes matza and bitter herbs, similar restrictions apply to both mitzvot. Consequently, just as according to Rabbi Yosei HaGelili one cannot use second-tithe produce for matza, so too, one cannot use this produce for bitter herbs.

מַתְנִי׳ אֵין שׁוֹרִין אֶת הַמּוּרְסָן לְתַרְנְגוֹלִים, אֲבָל חוֹלְטִין. הָאִשָּׁה לֹא תִּשְׁרֶה אֶת הַמּוּרְסָן שֶׁתּוֹלִיךְ בְּיָדָהּ לַמֶּרְחָץ, אֲבָל שָׁפָה הִיא בִּבְשָׂרָהּ יָבֵשׁ. לֹא יִלְעוֹס אָדָם חִיטִּין וְיַנִּיחַ עַל מַכָּתוֹ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן מַחְמִיצוֹת.

MISHNA: One may not soak coarse bran for feeding chickens, lest it be leavened. However, one may pour boiling water onto the bran before feeding it to the chickens, as it will not become leavened from this brief exposure to water. A woman may not soak coarse bran to bring by hand to the bathhouse for use as a cleanser; however, she may rub coarse bran on her dry skin. Likewise, the Sages said: A person may not chew wheat and place it on his wound, due to the fact that the wheat will be leavened from the saliva and his chewing.

גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אֵלּוּ דְּבָרִים שֶׁאֵין בָּאִין לִידֵי חִימּוּץ: הָאָפוּי, וְהַמְבוּשָּׁל, וְחָלוּט שֶׁחֲלָטוֹ בְּרוֹתְחִין. מְבוּשָּׁל? אַדִּמְבַשֵּׁל לֵיהּ, מַחְמַע! אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הָאָפוּי שֶׁבִּישְּׁלוֹ קָאָמַר.

GEMARA: The Sages taught: The following foods do not come to a state of leavening: Foods that have already been baked, or boiled, or over-boiled in hot water. With regard to the statement that boiled food will not become leavened, the Gemara asks: Why not? When it is boiled it will become leavened. The Gemara answers that Rav Pappa said: The tanna merely said that if it was first baked and afterward boiled, it will not be leavened; however, if it was initially boiled it will become leavened.

תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: קֶמַח שֶׁנָּפַל לְתוֹכוֹ דֶּלֶף, אֲפִילּוּ כׇּל הַיּוֹם כּוּלּוֹ — אֵינוֹ בָּא לִידֵי חִימּוּץ, אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: וְהוּא דְּעָבֵיד טִיף לַהֲדֵי טִיף.

It was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, says: In the case of flour into which water is dripping, even if the water drips the entire day the flour will not come to a state of leavening, as the ceaseless dripping prevents fermentation. Rav Pappa said: And that is the case only if one drop drips into the other, i.e., the dripping is continuous, preventing the mixture from settling.

אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי שֵׁילָא: וָתִיקָא שְׁרֵי. וְהָתַנְיָא וָתִיקָא אָסוּר?! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא — דְּעַבְדֵיהּ בְּמִישְׁחָא וּמִילְחָא, הָא — דְּעַבְדֵיהּ בְּמַיָּא וּמִילְחָא.

The school of Rabbi Sheila say: Vatika, a pastry prepared from a mixture of different liquids, is permitted on Passover. The Gemara raises a difficulty: But wasn’t it taught in a baraita that vatika is forbidden? The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. This baraita, which states that vatika is permitted, is referring to a case in which it was prepared with oil and salt, whereas that baraita forbade vatika prepared with water and salt, as that dish will become leavened.

אָמַר מָר זוּטְרָא: לָא לִימַחֵי אִינִישׁ קִדְרָא בְּקִמְחָא דַאֲבִישֻׁנָא, דִּילְמָא לָא בְּשִׁיל שַׁפִּיר, וְאָתֵי לִידֵי חִימּוּץ. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: לָא לִיחְלוֹט אִינִישׁ

Mar Zutra said: A person should not line the edge of a pot with roasted flour, lest some of the flour was not properly roasted and it will come to a state of leavening in the pot. Rav Yosef said: A person should not scald

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Susan Fisher
Susan Fisher

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I started learning on January 5, 2020. When I complete the 7+ year cycle I will be 70 years old. I had been intimidated by those who said that I needed to study Talmud in a traditional way with a chevruta, but I decided the learning was more important to me than the method. Thankful for Daf Yomi for Women helping me catch up when I fall behind, and also being able to celebrate with each Siyum!

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Pamela Elisheva

Bakersfield, United States

I start learning Daf Yomi in January 2020. The daily learning with Rabbanit Michelle has kept me grounded in this very uncertain time. Despite everything going on – the Pandemic, my personal life, climate change, war, etc… I know I can count on Hadran’s podcast to bring a smile to my face.
Deb Engel
Deb Engel

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“I got my job through the NY Times” was an ad campaign when I was growing up. I can headline “I got my daily Daf shiur and Hadran through the NY Times”. I read the January 4, 2020 feature on Reb. Michelle Farber and Hadran and I have been participating ever since. Thanks NY Times & Hadran!
Deborah Aschheim
Deborah Aschheim

New York, United States

I began to learn this cycle of Daf Yomi after my husband passed away 2 1/2 years ago. It seemed a good way to connect to him. Even though I don’t know whether he would have encouraged women learning Gemara, it would have opened wonderful conversations. It also gives me more depth for understanding my frum children and grandchildren. Thank you Hadran and Rabbanit Michelle Farber!!

Harriet Hartman
Harriet Hartman

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It’s hard to believe it has been over two years. Daf yomi has changed my life in so many ways and has been sustaining during this global sea change. Each day means learning something new, digging a little deeper, adding another lens, seeing worlds with new eyes. Daf has also fostered new friendships and deepened childhood connections, as long time friends have unexpectedly become havruta.

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Joanna Rom

Northwest Washington, United States

In January 2020, my chevruta suggested that we “up our game. Let’s do Daf Yomi” – and she sent me the Hadran link. I lost my job (and went freelance), there was a pandemic, and I am still opening the podcast with my breakfast coffee, or after Shabbat with popcorn. My Aramaic is improving. I will need a new bookcase, though.

Rhondda May
Rhondda May

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

I started learning Daf Yomi inspired by תָּפַסְתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַסְתָּ, תָּפַסְתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַסְתָּ. I thought I’d start the first page, and then see. I was swept up into the enthusiasm of the Hadran Siyum, and from there the momentum kept building. Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur gives me an anchor, a connection to an incredible virtual community, and an energy to face whatever the day brings.

Medinah Korn
Medinah Korn

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I started learning Daf Yomi in January 2020 after watching my grandfather, Mayer Penstein z”l, finish shas with the previous cycle. My grandfather made learning so much fun was so proud that his grandchildren wanted to join him. I was also inspired by Ilana Kurshan’s book, If All the Seas Were Ink. Two years in, I can say that it has enriched my life in so many ways.

Leeza Hirt Wilner
Leeza Hirt Wilner

New York, United States

Hadran entered my life after the last Siyum Hashaas, January 2020. I was inspired and challenged simultaneously, having never thought of learning Gemara. With my family’s encouragement, I googled “daf yomi for women”. A perfecr fit!
I especially enjoy when Rabbanit Michelle connects the daf to contemporary issues to share at the shabbat table e.g: looking at the Kohen during duchaning. Toda rabba

Marsha Wasserman
Marsha Wasserman

Jerusalem, Israel

My husband learns Daf, my son learns Daf, my son-in-law learns Daf.
When I read about Hadran’s Siyyum HaShas 2 years ago, I thought- I can learn Daf too!
I had learned Gemara in Hillel HS in NJ, & I remembered loving it.
Rabbanit Michelle & Hadran have opened my eyes & expanding my learning so much in the past few years. We can now discuss Gemara as a family.
This was a life saver during Covid

Renee Braha
Renee Braha

Brooklyn, NY, United States

I started learning Daf Yomi in January 2020 after watching my grandfather, Mayer Penstein z”l, finish shas with the previous cycle. My grandfather made learning so much fun was so proud that his grandchildren wanted to join him. I was also inspired by Ilana Kurshan’s book, If All the Seas Were Ink. Two years in, I can say that it has enriched my life in so many ways.

Leeza Hirt Wilner
Leeza Hirt Wilner

New York, United States

In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!

Beth Kissileff
Beth Kissileff

Pittsburgh, United States

I saw an elderly man at the shul kiddush in early March 2020, celebrating the siyyum of masechet brachot which he had been learning with a young yeshiva student. I thought, if he can do it, I can do it! I began to learn masechet Shabbat the next day, Making up masechet brachot myself, which I had missed. I haven’t missed a day since, thanks to the ease of listening to Hadran’s podcast!
Judith Shapiro
Judith Shapiro

Minnesota, United States

I was inspired to start learning after attending the 2020 siyum in Binyanei Hauma. It has been a great experience for me. It’s amazing to see the origins of stories I’ve heard and rituals I’ve participated in my whole life. Even when I don’t understand the daf itself, I believe that the commitment to learning every day is valuable and has multiple benefits. And there will be another daf tomorrow!

Khaya Eisenberg
Khaya Eisenberg

Jerusalem, Israel

I started learning on January 5, 2020. When I complete the 7+ year cycle I will be 70 years old. I had been intimidated by those who said that I needed to study Talmud in a traditional way with a chevruta, but I decided the learning was more important to me than the method. Thankful for Daf Yomi for Women helping me catch up when I fall behind, and also being able to celebrate with each Siyum!

Pamela Elisheva
Pamela Elisheva

Bakersfield, United States

My curiosity was peaked after seeing posts about the end of the last cycle. I am always looking for opportunities to increase my Jewish literacy & I am someone that is drawn to habit and consistency. Dinnertime includes a “Guess what I learned on the daf” segment for my husband and 18 year old twins. I also love the feelings of connection with my colleagues who are also learning.

Diana Bloom
Diana Bloom

Tampa, United States

“I got my job through the NY Times” was an ad campaign when I was growing up. I can headline “I got my daily Daf shiur and Hadran through the NY Times”. I read the January 4, 2020 feature on Reb. Michelle Farber and Hadran and I have been participating ever since. Thanks NY Times & Hadran!
Deborah Aschheim
Deborah Aschheim

New York, United States

I’ve been studying Talmud since the ’90s, and decided to take on Daf Yomi two years ago. I wanted to attempt the challenge of a day-to-day, very Jewish activity. Some days are so interesting and some days are so boring. But I’m still here.
Sarene Shanus
Sarene Shanus

Mamaroneck, NY, United States

I began my journey two years ago at the beginning of this cycle of the daf yomi. It has been an incredible, challenging experience and has given me a new perspective of Torah Sh’baal Peh and the role it plays in our lives

linda kalish-marcus
linda kalish-marcus

Efrat, Israel

Pesachim 39

מַתְנִי׳ וְאֵלּוּ יְרָקוֹת שֶׁאָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח: בַּחֲזֶרֶת, בְּתַמְכָא, וּבְחַרְחֲבִינָא וּבְעוּלְשִׁין וּבְמָרוֹר. יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן בֵּין לַחִין בֵּין יְבֵשִׁין, אֲבָל לֹא כְּבוּשִׁין וְלֹא שְׁלוּקִין וְלֹא מְבוּשָּׁלִין.

MISHNA: And these are the vegetables with which a person can fulfill his obligation to eat bitter herbs on Passover: One can fulfill his obligation with ḥazeret, with chervil [tamkha], and with field eryngo [ḥarḥavina], and with endives [olashin], and with maror. One fulfills his obligation with them whether they are fresh or whether they are dry. However, one does not fulfill his obligation if they are pickled in water or vinegar, nor if they are over-boiled [shaluk] in hot water, nor if they are boiled [mevushal].

וּמִצְטָרְפִין לִכְזַיִת, וְיוֹצְאִין בַּקֶּלַח שֶׁלָּהֶן. וּבִדְמַאי, וּבְמַעֲשֵׂר רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁנִּטְּלָה תְּרוּמָתוֹ, וּמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי וְהֶקְדֵּשׁ שֶׁנִּפְדּוּ.

The mishna adds: And all these different types of vegetables join together to the measure of an olive-bulk, i.e., it is not necessary to eat this amount from one specific type of vegetable. And one fulfills his obligation by eating their stalk, as it is not necessary to eat the leaves. And one fulfills the obligation with doubtfully tithed produce, with first-tithe produce whose teruma has been taken and given to a priest, and with both second-tithe produce and consecrated property that were redeemed.

גְּמָ׳ חֲזֶרֶת — חַסָּא. עוּלְשִׁין — הִינְדְּבִי. תַּמְכָא, אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה: תְּמַכְתָּא שְׁמָהּ. חַרְחֲבִינָא, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: אַצְווֹתָא דְּדִיקְלָא. וּבְמָרוֹר — מְרִירָתָא.

GEMARA: The Gemara identifies the plants mentioned by the mishna by their Aramaic names. Ḥazeret is lettuce. Olashin is called hindevi. With regard to tamkha, Rabba bar bar Ḥana said: It is called temakhta in Aramaic. As for ḥarḥavina, Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: This is the plant that grows around the palm tree. The mishna taught: And with maror. The Gemara explains: This is a plant called merirata.

תָּנֵי בַּר קַפָּרָא, אֵלּוּ יְרָקוֹת שֶׁאָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח: בְּעוּלְשִׁין, וּבְתַמְכָא, בְּחַרְחֲלִין, בְּחַרְחֲבִינִין, וּבְחִזְרִין. רַב יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אַף עוּלְשֵׁי שָׂדֶה וְעוּלְשֵׁי גִינָּה וַחֲזֶרֶת.

Bar Kappara teaches: These are the vegetables with which a person can fulfill his obligation to eat bitter herbs on Passover: With endives, chervil, ḥarḥallin, field eryngo, and ḥazeret. Rav Yehuda says: Also wild endives, garden endives, and ḥazeret.

עוּלְשֵׁי גִינָּה וַחֲזֶרֶת? הָא תְּנָא לַהּ רֵישָׁא! הָכִי קָאָמַר: אַף עוּלְשֵׁי שָׂדֶה כְּעוּלְשֵׁי גִינָּה וַחֲזֶרֶת. רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אַף עַסְווֹס וְטוּרָא וּמָר יְרוֹאָר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: עַסְווֹס וְטוּרָא אֶחָד הוּא. וּמָר — זֶה הוּא יְרוֹאָר.

The Gemara asks: Why does Rav Yehuda mention garden endives and ḥazeret? These were already taught in the first clause. The Gemara explains that this is what Rav Yehuda is saying: Even wild endives are equivalent to garden endives and ḥazeret and may be used as bitter herbs on Passover. Rabbi Meir says: The plants asvas, and tura, and sweet myrrh [mar yero’ar] can also be used to fulfill this obligation. Rabbi Yosei said to him: Asvas and tura are two names for one plant, and mar is the same plant as yero’ar.

תָּנֵי דְּבֵי (רַבִּי) שְׁמוּאֵל: אֵלּוּ יְרָקוֹת שֶׁאָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח: בַּחֲזֶרֶת, בְּעוּלְשִׁין, וּבְתַמְכָא, וּבְחַרְבִּינִין, וּבְחַרְגִּינִין, וּבְהִרְדּוּפְנִין. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אַף חֲזֶרֶת יוּלִין וַחֲזֶרֶת גַּלִּין כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן.

A Sage of the school of Rabbi Samuel teaches: These are the vegetables with which a person can fulfill his obligation to eat bitter herbs on Passover: With ḥazeret, endives, chervil, field eryngo, ḥarginnin, and hardofannin. Rabbi Yehuda says: One can also fulfill his obligation with ḥazeret yolin and ḥazeret gallin, as they are similar to the aforementioned vegetables.

רַבִּי אִילְעָא אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: אַף עַרְקַבָּלִים, וְחָזַרְתִּי עַל כׇּל תַּלְמִידָיו וּבִקַּשְׁתִּי לִי חָבֵר, וְלֹא מָצָאתִי. וּכְשֶׁבָּאתִי לִפְנֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב, הוֹדָה לִדְבָרַי.

Rabbi Ile’a said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer: One can also fulfill his obligation with arkablim. And I went around all of Rabbi Eliezer’s students looking for a colleague who agreed with me that Rabbi Eliezer said this, but I did not find anyone who remembered this ruling. But when I came before Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov, he conceded to my statement.

רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: כֹּל שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ שָׂרָף. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן בְּרוֹקָה אוֹמֵר: כֹּל שֶׁפָּנָיו מַכְסִיפִין. אֲחֵרִים אוֹמְרִים: [כׇּל] יָרָק מַר יֵשׁ לוֹ שָׂרָף וּפָנָיו מַכְסִיפִין. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִדִּבְרֵי כּוּלָּן נִלְמַד, יָרָק מַר יֵשׁ לוֹ שָׂרָף וּפָנָיו מַכְסִיפִין. אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: הֲלָכָה כַּאֲחֵרִים.

Rabbi Yehuda says: Any plant that has white sap when it is cut may be used as bitter herbs. Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka says: Anything whose surface is light green may be used as bitter herbs. Aḥerim say: Any bitter herb that has sap and whose surface is light green is fit for this mitzva. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: From the statements of all these Sages, we can learn that a bitter green herb has sap and its surface is light green. Rav Huna said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Aḥerim.

רָבִינָא אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לְרַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא דַּהֲוָה מְהַדַּר אַמְּרִירָתָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי דַּעְתָּיךְ, דִּמְרִירִין טְפֵי? וְהָא חֲזֶרֶת תְּנַן. וְתַנָּא דְּבֵי שְׁמוּאֵל: חֲזֶרֶת, וְאָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: מִצְוָה בַּחֲזֶרֶת. וְאָמַר רָבָא: מַאי חֲזֶרֶת — חַסָּא.

Ravina found Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, searching for merirata to use as bitter herbs. He said to him: What is your opinion, that you seek this particular herb? If you are looking for that which is most bitter, but we learned ḥazeret first in the mishna, which indicates that this is the preferred choice. And likewise, a Sage of the school of Shmuel taught ḥazeret first, before the other types of bitter herbs. And Rabbi Oshaya said: The optimal fulfillment of the mitzva is with ḥazeret, and Rava said: What is ḥazeret? It is lettuce [ḥassa].

מַאי חַסָּא — דְּחַס רַחֲמָנָא עִילָּוַון. וְאָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: לָמָּה נִמְשְׁלוּ מִצְרִיִּים כְּמָרוֹר? לוֹמַר לָךְ: מָה מָרוֹר זֶה שֶׁתְּחִילָּתוֹ רַךְ וְסוֹפוֹ קָשֶׁה — אַף מִצְרִיִּים תְּחִילָּתָן רַכָּה וְסוֹפָן קָשָׁה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הֲדַרִי בִּי.

The Gemara explains: What is the meaning of lettuce [ḥassa]? It refers to the fact that God has mercy [ḥas] on us. And Rabbi Samuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Why are the Egyptians likened to bitter herbs in the verse: “And they embittered their lives” (Exodus 1:14)? This comparison serves to tell you that just as these bitter herbs are soft at first and harsh in the end, so too, the Egyptians were soft at first, when they paid the Jews for their work, but were harsh in the end, as they enslaved them. This idea applies solely to ḥazeret, which has a bitter aftertaste, but not to other types of bitter herbs, which are bitter from the beginning. Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, said to Ravina: I retract my position and concede that it is preferable to use ḥazeret for bitter herbs.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב רְחוּמִי לְאַבָּיֵי: מִמַּאי דְּהַאי מָרוֹר מִין יָרָק הוּא? אֵימָא מְרִירָתָא דְכוּפְיָא? דּוּמְיָא דְּמַצָּה: מָה מַצָּה גִּידּוּלֵי קַרְקַע — אַף מָרוֹר גִּידּוּלֵי קַרְקַע. וְאֵימָא הִירְדּוּף? דּוּמְיָא דְּמַצָּה: מָה מַצָּה מִין זְרָעִים — אַף מָרוֹר מִין זְרָעִים.

Rav Reḥumi said to Abaye: From where is it known that this bitter herb that must be eaten on Passover night is a type of vegetable? Perhaps one could say that the mitzva should be performed with the bile of a kufya fish, which is very bitter, but not necessarily with a type of plant? He answered: Bitter herbs are similar to matza; just as matza must be prepared only from food that grows from the ground, so too, bitter herbs must be from food that grows from the ground. The Gemara asks: How do we know that a bitter herb is specifically a vegetable rather than the bitter oleander bush? The Gemara answers: Bitter herbs are similar to matza; just as matza is prepared from a type of plant, but not including a tree, so too, bitter herbs must be from a type of plant that is not a tree.

וְאֵימָא הַרְזִיפוּ! דּוּמְיָא דְּמַצָּה: מָה מַצָּה שֶׁנִּיקַּחַת בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר — אַף מָרוֹר שֶׁנִּיקָּח בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר.

The Gemara asks a similar question: Perhaps I can say that one may use harzipu, a vegetable that poisons animals, as the bitter herb. The Gemara answers: It must be similar to matza; just as matza is prepared from plants that are fit for human consumption and can be purchased with second-tithe money, so too, bitter herbs must be from a species that can be purchased with second-tithe money.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבָּה בַּר רַב חָנִין לְאַבָּיֵי: אֵימָא מָרוֹר חַד! ״מְרוֹרִים״ כְּתִיב. וְאֵימָא ״מְרוֹרִים״ תְּרֵי! דּוּמְיָא דְּמַצָּה: מָה מַצָּה מִינִין הַרְבֵּה — אַף מָרוֹר מִינִין הַרְבֵּה.

Rabba bar Rav Ḥanin said to Abaye: I can say that the bitter herb mentioned in the Torah includes merely one species, i.e., only the bitterest plant can be used for this obligation. Abaye responded: For this reason it is written: “Bitter herbs” (Exodus 12:8) in the plural, indicating that many types of bitter herbs are fit for this purpose. Rabba retorted: But one can say that “bitter herbs” refers to two different species, but no more. Abaye explained: Bitter herbs are similar to matza; just as matza can be prepared from many types of grain, so too, bitter herbs can be taken from many different types of vegetables.

אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא אָמַר רַב: יְרָקוֹת שֶׁאָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים שֶׁאָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בַּפֶּסַח, כּוּלָּן נִזְרָעִין בַּעֲרוּגָה אַחַת. לְמֵימְרָא דְּלֵית בְּהוּ מִשּׁוּם כִּלְאַיִם?

Rabba bar Rav Huna said that Rav said: With regard to the vegetables that the Sages said a person can fulfill with them his obligation to eat bitter herbs on Passover, they may all be planted in one garden bed. The Gemara concludes: That is to say that the prohibition against planting diverse kinds of seeds does not apply to them? Rav’s statement indicates that all these species are so similar that they may be planted together without violating the prohibition against planting different species of crops in one area of a field.

מֵתִיב רָבָא: חֲזֶרֶת וַחֲזֶרֶת גַּלִּין, עוּלְשִׁין וְעוּלְשֵׁי שָׂדֶה, כְּרֵישִׁין וּכְרֵישֵׁי שָׂדֶה, כּוּסְבָּר וְכוּסְבַּר שָׂדֶה, חַרְדָּל וְחַרְדָּל מִצְרִי, וְדַלַּעַת הַמִּצְרִי וְהָרְמוּצָה — אֵינָם כִּלְאַיִם זֶה בָּזֶה. חֲזֶרֶת וַחֲזֶרֶת גַּלִּין — אִין, חֲזֶרֶת וְעוּלְשִׁין — לֹא!

Rava raised an objection from a mishna: Ḥazeret and ḥazeret gallin; endive and wild endive; leek and wild leek; coriander and wild coriander; mustard and Egyptian mustard; and Egyptian gourd and harmutza, a type of gourd, are not considered a mixture of diverse kinds when planted together. This indicates that ḥazeret and ḥazeret gallin, yes, they may be planted together; however, ḥazeret and endives, no, they may not be planted together.

וְכִי תֵּימָא כּוּלְּהוּ בַּהֲדָדֵי קָתָנֵי לְהוּ. וְהָא אָמַר רַב: זוּגוֹת זוּגוֹת קָתָנֵי!

And lest you say that all these species are taught together, and the mishna is actually saying that any of these species may be planted together, but didn’t Rav himself say that these plants were taught in pairs, i.e., one may plant each plant only with its pair that is listed in the mishna, due to their similarity; however, one may not, e.g., plant lettuce and endive together. It therefore remains unclear what Rav meant when he said that vegetables fit for use as bitter herbs may be planted in a single garden bed.

מַאי נִזְרָעִין דְּאָמַר רַב — נִזְרָעִין כְּהִלְכָתָן. כְּהִלְכָתָן? תְּנֵינָא:

The Gemara explains: What is the meaning of the term planted, which Rav said? It means that these plants may be properly planted. In other words, they may be planted together provided that there is an appropriate amount of space between them, so that there is no violation of the prohibition against planting diverse kinds of seeds. The Gemara asks: If he wishes to inform us about planting them properly, we already learned this in a mishna:

עֲרוּגָה שֶׁהִיא שִׁשָּׁה עַל שִׁשָּׁה טְפָחִים — זוֹרְעִין בְּתוֹכָהּ חֲמִשָּׁה זֵרְעוֹנִין, אַרְבַּע — עַל אַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת הָעֲרוּגָה, וְאַחַת בָּאֶמְצַע. מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא: הָנֵי מִילֵּי בִּזְרָעִין, אֲבָל בִּירָקוֹת — לָא, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

With regard to a garden bed that is six by six handbreadths in area, one may plant in it five different types of seeds, four types on the four sides of the bed and one type in the middle. This mishna teaches that it is permitted to plant different types of seeds in one garden bed, provided that one maintains the appropriate distance between them. The Gemara explains: Rav’s statement is nevertheless necessary. Lest you say that that applies only to seeds, but with regard to vegetables, no, it is prohibited to plant them in a single garden bed even if this separation is maintained, Rava teaches us that it is permitted to plant in this manner with vegetables as well.

לְמֵימְרָא דִּירָקוֹת אַלִּימָא מִזְּרָעִים? וְהָתְנַן: כׇּל מִינֵי זְרָעִים אֵין זוֹרְעִין בַּעֲרוּגָה אַחַת, כׇּל מִינֵי יְרָקוֹת זוֹרְעִין בַּעֲרוּגָה אַחַת! מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא הָנֵי מָרוֹר מִין זְרָעִים נִינְהוּ, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

The Gemara asks: Is that to say that vegetables are stronger in the level of their prohibition than seeds? But didn’t we learn in a mishna in Kilayim: With regard to multiple types of seeds, one may not plant them together in one garden bed, even if there is space between them; however, with regard to multiple types of vegetables, one may plant them together in one bed? This mishna apparently indicates that the halakha is stricter concerning seeds. The Gemara answers: Rav’s statement is necessary. Lest you say that these bitter herbs are a type of seed, not a vegetable, and therefore it is prohibited to plant them in a bed with other seeds, Rav teaches us that all the various bitter herbs are classified as types of vegetables.

זְרָעִים סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ? וְהָא תְּנַן — יְרָקוֹת, וְתָנֵי בַּר קַפָּרָא — יְרָקוֹת, וְתָנֵי דְּבֵי שְׁמוּאֵל — יְרָקוֹת! חֲזֶרֶת אִיצְטְרִיכָא לֵיהּ. סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אָמֵינָא: הוֹאִיל וְסוֹפָהּ לְהַקְשׁוֹת — נִיתֵּיב לַהּ רַוְוחָא טְפֵי.

The Gemara asks: Could it even enter your mind that bitter herbs are types of seeds? But didn’t we learn the word vegetables in a mishna? And bar Kappara likewise taught: Vegetables. And furthermore, the Sage of the school of Shmuel taught: Vegetables. The Gemara explains: It was necessary for Rav to mention the status of ḥazeret. It could enter your mind to say that since ḥazeret ultimately hardens into a type of seed, one must therefore give it more space in a garden bed than other vegetables. Rav’s statement indicates that this is not the case.

לָאו אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא, קֶלַח שֶׁל כְּרוּב שֶׁהוּקְשָׁה מַרְחִיבִין לוֹ בֵּית רוֹבַע! אַלְמָא: כֵּיוָן דְּסוֹפוֹ לְהַקְשׁוֹת יָהֲבִינַן לֵיהּ רַוְוחָא טְפֵי, הָכָא נָמֵי נִיתֵּיב לַהּ רַוְוחָא טְפֵי, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

The Gemara offers support for this contention: Didn’t Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, say: With regard to a stalk of cabbage that has hardened, one must allow a beit rova of space for it, in which no other seeds may be planted. Apparently, since it will ultimately harden, one must give it more space. Here too, in the case of the ḥazeret, it might have been thought that one is required to give it more space. Therefore, Rava teaches us that all types of bitter herbs, even lettuce, may be planted together in one bed without leaving additional space between each species.

יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן בֵּין לַחִין בֵּין יְבֵשִׁין כּוּ׳. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בַּקֶּלַח, אֲבָל בֶּעָלִין, לַחִין — אִין, יְבֵשִׁין — לָא.

The mishna taught that one can fulfill his obligation to eat bitter herbs with these types of vegetables, whether they are fresh or whether they are dried. Rav Ḥisda said: They taught this halakha only with regard to the stem. However, with regard to the leaves, if they are moist, yes, they may be used as bitter herbs, but if they are dry, no, they may not serve as bitter herbs.

וְהָא מִדְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא ״בַּקֶּלַח שֶׁלָּהֶן״, מִכְלָל דְּרֵישָׁא עָלִין? פָּרוֹשֵׁי קָא מְפָרֵשׁ: כִּי קָתָנֵי בֵּין לַחִין בֵּין יְבֵשִׁין — אַקֶּלַח.

The Gemara asks: But from the fact that it is taught in the last clause of the mishna: In their stems, it may be inferred that the first clause of the mishna refers to the leaves. The Gemara answers: The tanna is explaining his statement in the first clause of the mishna: When he taught that one may eat herbs whether they are fresh or whether dried, the tanna was referring to the stem, not the leaves.

מֵיתִיבִי: יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן וּבַקֶּלַח שֶׁלָּהֶן, בֵּין לַחִין בֵּין יְבֵשִׁין, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: לַחִין — יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן, יְבֵשִׁין — אֵין יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן. וְשָׁוִין שֶׁיּוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן כְּמוּשִׁין. אֲבָל לֹא כְּבוּשִׁין וְלֹא שְׁלוּקִין וְלֹא מְבוּשָּׁלִין.

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: One can fulfill the obligation with the bitter herbs themselves or with their stems, whether they are fresh or whether they are dried; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. And the Rabbis say: With regard to fresh bitter herbs, one can fulfill his obligation with them; however, with regard to dry bitter herbs, one cannot fulfill the obligation with them. And everyone agrees that one can fulfill his obligation with them if they are withered and are no longer fresh. However, one may neither use bitter herbs that have been pickled, nor over-boiled, nor boiled.

כְּלָלוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר: כֹּל שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ טַעַם מָרוֹר — יוֹצְאִין בּוֹ, וְכֹל שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ טַעַם מָרוֹר — אֵין יוֹצְאִין בּוֹ. תַּרְגּוּמָא אַקֶּלַח. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אֵין יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן כְּמוּשִׁין. מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּרַבִּי צָדוֹק אָמְרוּ: יוֹצְאִין בָּהֶן כְּמוּשִׁין.

The baraita continues: The principle is: Anything that has the taste of bitter herbs, one can fulfill his obligation with it; but anything that does not have the taste of bitter herbs, one cannot fulfill his obligation with it. This baraita indicates that neither Rabbi Meir nor the Rabbis distinguish between the leaves of these herbs and their stems. The Gemara answers: Interpret Rabbi Meir’s statement, that one can fulfill the obligation with both fresh and dried bitter herbs, as referring to the stem but not to the leaves. The Sages taught: One cannot fulfill the obligation with them when they are withered. They said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Tzadok: One can fulfill his obligation with them even when they are withered.

בָּעֵי רָמֵי בַּר חָמָא: מַהוּ שֶׁיֵּצֵא אָדָם יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בְּמָרוֹר שֶׁל מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם? אַלִּיבָּא דְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא לָא תִּיבְּעֵי לָךְ: הַשְׁתָּא בְּמַצָּה דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא נָפֵיק, בְּמָרוֹר דְּרַבָּנַן מִיבַּעְיָא?

Rami bar Ḥama raised a dilemma: What is the halakha with regard to the possibility that a person can fulfill his obligation with bitter herbs of second-tithe produce in Jerusalem? In accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Akiva, who permits one to fulfill the obligation to eat matza with second-tithe produce because it can be eaten anywhere if it becomes ritually impure, do not raise this dilemma. Now that it has been mentioned that in the case of matza, where the obligation applies by Torah law, one can fulfill his obligation with second tithe in this manner, is it necessary to mention that one can use second tithe for bitter herbs, which nowadays applies by rabbinic law, as there is no Paschal lamb?

כִּי תִּיבְּעֵי לָךְ אַלִּיבָּא דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי, מַאי? בְּמַצָּה דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא הוּא דְּלָא נָפֵיק, אֲבָל מָרוֹר דְּרַבָּנַן נָפֵיק?

When you raise the dilemma, it is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, who maintains that one cannot fulfill his obligation with matza of second-tithe produce. What is the halakha with regard to bitter herbs? The Gemara explains the two sides of this dilemma: Does Rabbi Yosei HaGelili say it is only with regard to matza of second-tithe produce, where the obligation applies by Torah law, that one does not fulfill the mitzva; however, with bitter herbs, a mitzva that applies by rabbinic law, one can fulfill his obligation with this second-tithe produce?

אוֹ דִילְמָא: כׇּל דְּתַקִּינוּ רַבָּנַן — כְּעֵין דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא תַּקּוּן. אָמַר רָבָא: מִסְתַּבְּרָא מַצָּה וּמָרוֹר.

Or perhaps, everything that the Sages instituted, they instituted in a manner similar to the model provided by Torah law. If this principle is accepted, it would mean the following: Just as one may not use second-tithe produce for matza, so too, one may not use second tithe as bitter herbs, despite the fact that the obligation to eat them is rabbinic. Rava said: It stands to reason that since the verse juxtaposes matza and bitter herbs, similar restrictions apply to both mitzvot. Consequently, just as according to Rabbi Yosei HaGelili one cannot use second-tithe produce for matza, so too, one cannot use this produce for bitter herbs.

מַתְנִי׳ אֵין שׁוֹרִין אֶת הַמּוּרְסָן לְתַרְנְגוֹלִים, אֲבָל חוֹלְטִין. הָאִשָּׁה לֹא תִּשְׁרֶה אֶת הַמּוּרְסָן שֶׁתּוֹלִיךְ בְּיָדָהּ לַמֶּרְחָץ, אֲבָל שָׁפָה הִיא בִּבְשָׂרָהּ יָבֵשׁ. לֹא יִלְעוֹס אָדָם חִיטִּין וְיַנִּיחַ עַל מַכָּתוֹ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן מַחְמִיצוֹת.

MISHNA: One may not soak coarse bran for feeding chickens, lest it be leavened. However, one may pour boiling water onto the bran before feeding it to the chickens, as it will not become leavened from this brief exposure to water. A woman may not soak coarse bran to bring by hand to the bathhouse for use as a cleanser; however, she may rub coarse bran on her dry skin. Likewise, the Sages said: A person may not chew wheat and place it on his wound, due to the fact that the wheat will be leavened from the saliva and his chewing.

גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אֵלּוּ דְּבָרִים שֶׁאֵין בָּאִין לִידֵי חִימּוּץ: הָאָפוּי, וְהַמְבוּשָּׁל, וְחָלוּט שֶׁחֲלָטוֹ בְּרוֹתְחִין. מְבוּשָּׁל? אַדִּמְבַשֵּׁל לֵיהּ, מַחְמַע! אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הָאָפוּי שֶׁבִּישְּׁלוֹ קָאָמַר.

GEMARA: The Sages taught: The following foods do not come to a state of leavening: Foods that have already been baked, or boiled, or over-boiled in hot water. With regard to the statement that boiled food will not become leavened, the Gemara asks: Why not? When it is boiled it will become leavened. The Gemara answers that Rav Pappa said: The tanna merely said that if it was first baked and afterward boiled, it will not be leavened; however, if it was initially boiled it will become leavened.

תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: קֶמַח שֶׁנָּפַל לְתוֹכוֹ דֶּלֶף, אֲפִילּוּ כׇּל הַיּוֹם כּוּלּוֹ — אֵינוֹ בָּא לִידֵי חִימּוּץ, אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: וְהוּא דְּעָבֵיד טִיף לַהֲדֵי טִיף.

It was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, says: In the case of flour into which water is dripping, even if the water drips the entire day the flour will not come to a state of leavening, as the ceaseless dripping prevents fermentation. Rav Pappa said: And that is the case only if one drop drips into the other, i.e., the dripping is continuous, preventing the mixture from settling.

אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי שֵׁילָא: וָתִיקָא שְׁרֵי. וְהָתַנְיָא וָתִיקָא אָסוּר?! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא — דְּעַבְדֵיהּ בְּמִישְׁחָא וּמִילְחָא, הָא — דְּעַבְדֵיהּ בְּמַיָּא וּמִילְחָא.

The school of Rabbi Sheila say: Vatika, a pastry prepared from a mixture of different liquids, is permitted on Passover. The Gemara raises a difficulty: But wasn’t it taught in a baraita that vatika is forbidden? The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. This baraita, which states that vatika is permitted, is referring to a case in which it was prepared with oil and salt, whereas that baraita forbade vatika prepared with water and salt, as that dish will become leavened.

אָמַר מָר זוּטְרָא: לָא לִימַחֵי אִינִישׁ קִדְרָא בְּקִמְחָא דַאֲבִישֻׁנָא, דִּילְמָא לָא בְּשִׁיל שַׁפִּיר, וְאָתֵי לִידֵי חִימּוּץ. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: לָא לִיחְלוֹט אִינִישׁ

Mar Zutra said: A person should not line the edge of a pot with roasted flour, lest some of the flour was not properly roasted and it will come to a state of leavening in the pot. Rav Yosef said: A person should not scald

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